Post by L Roebuck on Apr 22, 2006 8:06:41 GMT -5
Officials hope for minimal work delays
By Rodney Hart
Herald-Whig Staff Writer
Bleigh Construction workers got a little bit more than they bargained for when moving earth at the new Stowell School site Thursday.
A cave was discovered where Fulton Avenue will connect to Mo. 79 on Hannibal's south side. After inspecting the cave, authorities said it had been visited by humans before — and could be linked to miles of other caves in the area.
The cave is about 40 feet long and 20 feet below the surface. It's about a quarter of a mile south of Union Street and on the right side of the highway as it heads out of town.
Because the cave is on state right-of-way, grading work was stopped and Missouri Department of Transportation Environmental Specialist Alan Leary was called from Jefferson City to examine the cave. Leary emerged Friday afternoon from the cave with muddy clothes and news of an interesting discovery on the cave's wall — a painting of a circle and an arrow.
Leary said it's an apparent directional signal for cave explorers of years past.
"There used to be an opening to this cave somewhere around here," Leary said. "At one time it could have been linked with large cave systems."
MoDOT District Engineer Kirk Juranas said archeologists will be called to explore the cave. He said it doesn't appear the cave will affect the structural integrity of Mo. 79 or the future Fulton Avenue.
The highway was built about 40 years ago. "We've had no problems with the highway. The roof structure is thick and we don't think we'll have any issues with the structural integrity of (Mo. 79)," Juranas said.
Juranas said MoDOT will work with the school system and the city to "ensure all bases are covered for environmental issues." Authorities are hopeful it won't delay construction.
"We want to be good stewards to the environment," Juranas said.
Leary said there were some crickets and beetles in the cave, which appears to flood regularly. Because of sediment and clay on the walls and floor, it's hard to tell how old the cave might be, he said.
The cave is located not far from where three Hannibal boys lived in 1967 when they disappeared. Brothers Joey and Billy Hoag and Craig Dowell, ages 11 to 14, were never found, despite a massive search and rescue effort.
The week-long rescue attempt received national attention, and many area caves were sealed off in hopes of preventing further tragedies.
Workers said the boys lived on the site of the new school construction. Just across the highway and up in the bluffs is an area known as Murphy's Cave. There are as many as 80 caves in the Pike, Marion and Ralls county areas, authorities said.
"We know about the children who disappeared and we may have some environmental issues, so we decided to let people know what we have discovered," Juranas said.
The area will be closed off and monitored for safety, authorities said.
www.whig.com/318272165315038.php
By Rodney Hart
Herald-Whig Staff Writer
Bleigh Construction workers got a little bit more than they bargained for when moving earth at the new Stowell School site Thursday.
A cave was discovered where Fulton Avenue will connect to Mo. 79 on Hannibal's south side. After inspecting the cave, authorities said it had been visited by humans before — and could be linked to miles of other caves in the area.
The cave is about 40 feet long and 20 feet below the surface. It's about a quarter of a mile south of Union Street and on the right side of the highway as it heads out of town.
Because the cave is on state right-of-way, grading work was stopped and Missouri Department of Transportation Environmental Specialist Alan Leary was called from Jefferson City to examine the cave. Leary emerged Friday afternoon from the cave with muddy clothes and news of an interesting discovery on the cave's wall — a painting of a circle and an arrow.
Leary said it's an apparent directional signal for cave explorers of years past.
"There used to be an opening to this cave somewhere around here," Leary said. "At one time it could have been linked with large cave systems."
MoDOT District Engineer Kirk Juranas said archeologists will be called to explore the cave. He said it doesn't appear the cave will affect the structural integrity of Mo. 79 or the future Fulton Avenue.
The highway was built about 40 years ago. "We've had no problems with the highway. The roof structure is thick and we don't think we'll have any issues with the structural integrity of (Mo. 79)," Juranas said.
Juranas said MoDOT will work with the school system and the city to "ensure all bases are covered for environmental issues." Authorities are hopeful it won't delay construction.
"We want to be good stewards to the environment," Juranas said.
Leary said there were some crickets and beetles in the cave, which appears to flood regularly. Because of sediment and clay on the walls and floor, it's hard to tell how old the cave might be, he said.
The cave is located not far from where three Hannibal boys lived in 1967 when they disappeared. Brothers Joey and Billy Hoag and Craig Dowell, ages 11 to 14, were never found, despite a massive search and rescue effort.
The week-long rescue attempt received national attention, and many area caves were sealed off in hopes of preventing further tragedies.
Workers said the boys lived on the site of the new school construction. Just across the highway and up in the bluffs is an area known as Murphy's Cave. There are as many as 80 caves in the Pike, Marion and Ralls county areas, authorities said.
"We know about the children who disappeared and we may have some environmental issues, so we decided to let people know what we have discovered," Juranas said.
The area will be closed off and monitored for safety, authorities said.
www.whig.com/318272165315038.php
